Protective Roles of Some Leafy and Non-leafy Vegetables against the Severity of Arsenic-induced Skin Lesions among Women Living in Rural Bangladesh:A Case Control Study

Arsenicosis is common among villagers as they drink more contaminated-water since the arsenic-crisis in Bangladesh.Supplementation of vitamins and micronutrients in counteracting arsenic toxicity has been proved for arsenic treatment.This study was intended to assess protective and beneficial roles of some commonly eaten vegetables on the development and severity of arsenic-induced skin lesions.A case-control study among(N=122)adult rural-women(62 cases had various forms of arsenical skin-lesions e.g.melanosis/keratosis/mixed-lesions and 60 sex-age-matched healthy-controls)was conducted in Shaharstee Upazilla of Chandpur district,Bangladesh.Socio-demographic data recorded in a pre-tested-questionnaire,‘per-day vegetables ingestion’of cases and controls were measured qualitative and quantitatively(24-hour recall-methods,food-frequency/week and food history-record/week).Multiple logistic regression/MLR analyses were performed to find out protective roles of some dietary leafy-vegetables/LVs and non-leafy vegetables/NLVs on arsenicosis and their influences on the degree of severity of arsenicosis also determined.Abstinence from taking some LVs/NLVs among cases than controls is associated with increased risk for arsenicosis(P<0.05).Amongst all most-frequently eaten vegetables(n=17)per day Momordica diocia has the highest skin protective role on arsenicosis[Adjusted odds ratio/AOR 8.2,95%CI(2.11-31.9),P=<0.01],followed by Ipomoea acquatica(AOR:7.3),Basella alba(AOR:6.2),Solanum tuberosum(AOR:4.0),Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis(AOR:3.2),Trichosanthes anguina(AOR:1.2)and Abelmoschus esculentus(AOR:1.2).Moreover,severe skin lesion was observed as compared to non-severe cases(mild/moderate)for less intake frequencies of vegetables.This study outlined that commonly eaten vegetables have protective and beneficial roles on arsenic-induced skin lesions.Large samples longitudinal study of this important field of therapeutic-intervention is warranted.

Application of HPLC and ESI-MS techniques in the analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids from green leafy vegetables (GLVs)

Diets containing high proportions of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of onset of chronic diseases. The role of herbal medicines in improving human health is gaining popularity over the years, which also increases the need for safety and efficiency of these products. Green leafy vegetables （GLVs） are the richest source of phenolic compounds with excellent antioxidant properties. Increased consumption of diets containing phenolic compounds may give positive and better results to human health and significantly improves the immune system. Highly selective, susceptible and versatile analytical techniques are necessary for extraction, identifica- tion, and quantification of phenolic compounds from plant extracts, which helps to utilize their important biological properties. Recent advances in the pre-treatment procedures, separation techniques and spectro- metry methods are used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds. The online coupling of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry （LC-MS） has become a useful tool in the metabolic profiling of plant samples. In this review, the separation and identification of phenolic acids and flavonoids from GLVs by LC-MS have been discussed along with the general extraction procedures and other sources of mass spectrometer used. The review is devoted to the understanding of the structural configuration, nature and accumulation pattern of phenolic acids and flavonoids in plants and to highlighting the recent developments in the chemical investigation of these compounds by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. It concludes with the advantages of the combination of these two methods and prospects.

Nutrient and Phytochemical Composition of Five Wild Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Erie-Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State

This work on nutrient and phytochemical composition of five wild green leafy vegetables consumed in Erei-Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria was aimed at identifying and determining the nutrient, and phytochemical compositions of Amaranthus viridis (Ikorodotaseach), Aeschylus glabra (Ididieriri), Alphanostylis lepthanta (Emornegbandip), Calcasia saxatilis, (Igbongonokpa) and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Ajuokoh). Analysis of moisture, protein, fiber, ash, fat and carbohydrate, micronutrients and phytochemicals was done using standard methods, while vitamins were done using AOAC, (1995). The data generated were subjected to T-test, standard deviation, standard error of the mean. The result of the proximate analysis showed that Amaranthus viridis had the highest protein value (9.73%) and the lowest carbohydrate value (4.60%) respectively. Aeschylea glabra recorded the highest fat value [9.73%]. The micro nutrient result revealed that copper (CU) and phosphorous (Ph) values were low and that the value for the other micro-nutrient differed significantly with the exception of calcium (Ca) values which did not differed significantly (P Amaranthus viridis had the highest value of Vitamin C. The phytochemicals and anti-nutrient contents of the vegetables were moderately high but not higher than the safe levels. Hence they are recommended for consumption.

Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Main Nutritional Indicators of Three Leafy Vegetables

The purpose of this paper was to identify content changes in the main nutritional indicators of three common leafy vegetables, and to provide a theoretical basis for the protection of leafy vegetables from acid rain. The experiment investigated the effects of simulated acid rain on four main nutritional indicators, including soluble sugar, total free amino acid, soluble protein and vitamin C during the application of simulated acid rain(SAR) in pakchoi(Brassica rapa chinensis), rape(Brassica campestris L.) and lettuce(Lactuca sativa Linn. var. ramosa Hort). The vegetables were respectively exposed to SAR of pH=7.0, 5.6, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0 and a control level of pH=6.5. The concentrations of the four main nutritional indicators were determined at harvest. The results show that nutritional quality of the three leafy vegetable species decreased with the declining of pH values of SAR. The higher the acidity of SAR was, the more significant the inhibitions were. Nutritional quality of lettuce was the most affected by simulated acid rain, followed by pakchoi and rape. The change range of soluble protein content was higher than those of the other three indicators’ contents, which indicates that soluble protein is most sensitive to simulated acid rain.

Carotenoid Analysis of Several Dark-Green Leafy Vegetables Associated With a Lower Risk of Cancers

We have examined the carotenoid contents of several dark green vegetables found to be associated with a lower risk of various epithelial cancers in our epidemiological study and animal study. Samples of these vegetables were quantitatively examined by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C-18 reversed-phase column for individual carotenoid content. Pure reference compounds (alpha-carotene, beta-carotent, lycopene, canthaxanthin, and lutein) and internal standard (beta-Apo-8'-carotenal) were employed to quantify xanthophylls and carotenes in these vegetables. The results indicated that fresh, dark-green, leafy vegetables were high in beta-carotene (0.94-9.36 mg/100 g) and oxygenated carotenoids or xanthophylls, primarily lutein (0.94-7.39 mg/100 g),whereas lycopene and alpha-carotene were not prominent and canthaxanthin was non existent in these vegetables. These analyses suggest that consumption of carotenoids such as lutein in addition to beta-carotene may be associated with a lower risk of cancers

Comparative Study of Proximate,Chemical and Physicochemical Properties of Less Explored Tropical Leafy Vegetables

The list of underutilized green leafy vegetables is enormous: ranging from commonly consumed and underutilized vegetables. There are data on commonly consumed vegetables, but information is sparse on nutritional, chemical and anti-nutritional properties of less explored vegetables. This work aimed to evaluate some attributes of less explored or underutilized leafy vegetables. Some nutritional and anti-nutritional contents of 10 under-utilized leafy vegetables(Amaranthus spinosus Linnaeus, Basella alba Linnaeus, Corchorous tridens L., Cyrtosperma senegalense(Schott), Erigeron floribundus Sch, Hoslundia opposita Vahl, Lagenaria siceraria(Molina) Standl, Ocimum basilicum L., Solanum aethiopicum L. and Talinum portulacifolium(Forssk.) Asch. ex Schweinf) were investigated. Cyrtosperma senegalense had the highest protein value(5.93%). Hoslundia opposita had the highest fat content(0.54%). Amaranthus spinosus was high in β-carotene content(346.3 mg · 100 g-1); Cyrtosperma senegalense had the highest moisture content. A. spinosus had the highest ascorbic acid content(108.1 mg · 100 g-1). The highest tannin level(0.0057%) was found in C. senegalense and the lowest(0.0003%) was found in Solanum aethiopicum. Saponin was the highest in C. tridens(0.0052%) and the lowest in T. portulacifolium(0.00014%). C. senegalense and S. aethiopicum had their highest and the lowest phytate values, respectively. Although anti-nutrients could interfere with nutrient utilization, their values in these vegetables were not at toxic levels.

Determination of Leafy Vegetables Need in Water andNitrogen Use Efficiency by Using the Diviner 2000 andthe Isotopes Techniques: Case of Amaranth(Amaranthus cruentus)

A study was conducted to determine how the nitrogen(N)in the fertilisers can be quantified and what amounts of fertilizers should be given to leafy vegetables to achieve their requirements.This study also aimed to determine the efficient use of water by the plant.The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block with three replicates and three levels of urea(T0=0 kg/ha,T1=43.5 kg/ha,T2=65 kg/ha).Estimation of growth parameters and biomass yield revealed that the treatments produced statistically identical values.But numerically,T1(43.5 kg of urea/ha)gave the highest yields and T2(65 kg of urea/ha)produced the lowest.It was the same for the determination of the water use efficiency(WUE)by the plant where T1 produced the highest values compared to T2.The yield curve as a function of the applied urea dose allowed the identification of the urea dose that corresponds to optimal yield in amaranth.From the dose of 65 kg of urea/ha,any increase becomes harmful to the plant.This results in a decrease in yield in the amaranth plant.

Contamination of copper in leafy vegetables grown near Kalyan Railway Track, Maharashtra, India

Background:Majority of human population is suffering from vitamins and mineral deficiencies.Leafy vegetables are used to overcome this problem.Heavy metal contaminations of vegetables cannot be underestimated as these are important components for diet.In Mumbai almost all the farms are closer to railway tracks along the harbour,central and western railways;local farmers in the absence of proper irrigation facilities use water from the drains to grow their crops.This Untreated sewage water increases heavy metals in soil and crops along with pathogens.Utilization of sewage water containing heavy metals due to small scale industries in urban areas deserves special attention as it makes environment quite unsuitable for human and animal health and growth of plants.Copper is essential element while in excess it can cause many diseases.Methods:The present study is undertaken with an aim to study presence of heavy metal i.e.copper in the vegetables,water and soil alongwith physico-chemical parameters.Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine copper content in vegetable samples like Spinacia oleracea and Amaranthus caudatus.Results:The level of copper present in the vegetable was found to be higher than the permissible limits with water being the major cause of excessive copper contamination.The physicochemical parameters were found to be exceeding the drinking water and irrigation standards.Conclusion:The irrigation water is the major source of copper which increases the copper content higher than the permissible limits.But more sampling and research is essential to understand the ingress of heavy metals in the leafy vegetables.

Development of transplanting manipulator for hydroponic leafy vegetables

The production of hydroponic leafy vegetable plug-seedlings uses coco-peat as culture substrate in South China.Coco-peat has lowered density than peat-moss,and the friction between substrate block and pickup tool is small.So,it is hard to pick up in mechanism transplantation.In order to increase the friction,the existing transplanting manipulator had relatively complex structures.To simplify the structure of transplanting manipulator and improve the stability of picking up substrate block,four stainless steel fingers with rectangular cross-section were used in this research.A vertical driving was used to realize the coupling effect that could insert and shrink at the same time,by applying different combination of constraints to the steel fingers.This could increase friction between the steel fingers and the substrate block,and then enhance the stability of the substrate block.Different combinations of constraints were applied to the rectangular stainless steel fingers(3 mm×0.8 mm).The working videos of steel fingers were taken by high-speed photography.High-speed motioned analysis software was used to acquire and analyze traces of steel fingers movements.When the length which top end of the steel fingers moved outward(M)is equal to 1.5 mm,the length which guiding part widened(N)is equal to 1 mm,the shrinking distance of steel fingers is 4.2 mm.In this research,16-day hydroponic leafy vegetable plug-seedlings were used for performance,which cultivated with coco-peat substrate with the moisture in the substrate at 81%.The transplanting manipulator was attached to a Denso robotic arm to conduct transplanting performance test.When the shrinking distance of steel fingers increased from 0 mm to 3.2 mm and the inserting angle decreased from 80°to 77°,the lifting force of substrate block increased by 118%from 1.45 N to 3.16 N.However,excessive shrinkage stirred the substrate block,which would reduce the friction between the substrate block and pickup parts and lowered the lifting force of pickup part in the substrate block.The experimental results also demonstrated that when the shrinking distance of the steel fingers reached 3.2 mm and the root distribution rate reached 46%,the success rate of transplantation was 80%.When the leafy vegetable plug-seedlings root distribution rate reached 92%,the success rate of transplantation was 96.67%.The degree of root distribution rate was positively correlated with the transplantation success rate.Therefore,in order to ensure an acceptable success rate of transplantation,the root distribution rate of leafy vegetable plug-seedlings should be at least 90%.This study provides a technical reference for developing simplified transplanting manipulator that can be used to transplant the hydroponic leafy vegetable plug-seedlings with coco-peat as the culture substrate.

Impacts of LED spectral quality on leafy vegetables:Productivity closely linked to photosynthetic performance or associated with leaf traits?

The success of growing vegetables indoors requires the most appropriate selection of lighting spectrum.This mini review discusses the impacts of LED spectral quality on different leafy vegetables with a focus on the studies of Chinese broccoli(Brassica alboglabra),ice plants(Mesembryanthem crystallinum)and lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.cv.Canasta).For each species,plants exposed to different spectral LED lights were all under the same light intensity and same photoperiod.Chinese broccoli grown under red(R):blue(B)-LED ratio of 84:16(16B)had the highest light-saturated photosynthetic CO_(2) assimilation rate(Asat)and stomatal conductance(gs sat)compared to plants grown under other R:B-LED ratios.It was also shown that 16B is the most appropriate selection for Chinese broccoli to achieve the highest shoot productivity with a rapid leaf number and leaf area development.The highest concentrations of photosynthetic pigments,soluble and Rubisco protein on a leaf area basis were also observed in 16B plants.The results conclusively affirmed that the highest productivity of Chinese broccoli grown under 16B is closely linked to the highest photosynthetic performance on a leaf area basis.For ice plants grown under R:B-LED ratios of 90:10(10B),they had the highest shoot biomass with a faster leaf development compared to plants grown under other RB-LED combinations.However,there were no differences in Asat,gs sat,photosynthetic pigments,soluble and Rubisco proteins on a leaf area basis.In the case of lettuce plants,it was a surprise to observe that plants grown under 0B and 20G(20%green(G)-LED and 80%R-LED)had the highest shoot biomass,and largest total leaf area and light interception area but the lowest net maximal photosynthetic rate on a leaf area basis,compared to other plants.The combined RB-LED enhanced other photosynthetic parameters while 0B and 20G conditions had inhibitory effects on maximum quantum efficiency of PS II with lower photosynthetic pigments,total soluble protein and Rubisco protein.These results suggest that impacts of LED light quality on productivity of lettuce(L.sativa L.cv.Canasta)are closely linked to leaf traits not associated with photosynthetic performance on a leaf area basis.

Selected fermented indigenous vegetables and fruits from Malaysia as potential sources of natural probiotics for improving gut health

In the Peninsular Malaysia and Northern Borneo island of Malaysia, various rich indigenous leafy vegetables and fruits grow and contribute to the nutritional and dietary values of the population. They have high water contents, thus, naturally vulnerable to rapid food spoilage. Food preservation and processing play a vital role in the inhibition of food pathogens in fruits and vegetables that are prevalent in Malaysia. Lactic acid fermentation is generally a local-based bioprocess, among the oldest form and well-known for food-processing techniques among indigenous people there. The long shelf life of fermented vegetables and fruits improves their nutritional values and antioxidant potentials. Fermented leaves and vegetables can be utilized as a potential source of probiotics as they are host for several lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus confusus, Weissella paramesenteroides, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus pentosus, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These strains may be more viable in metabolic systems whereby they can contribute to a substantial increase in essential biologically active element than industrial starter cultures. This review is aimed to address some essential fermented fruits and vegetables in Malaysia and their remarkable reputations as a potential sources of natural probiotics.

Genetic Diversity of Jute Mallow (Corchorus spp.) Accessions Based on ISSR Markers

Jute mallow is a nutritious leafy vegetable. The leaves are rich in proteins, vitamins and essential amino acids. Molecular characterization of Jute mallow with focus on improvement of leaf yield is scarcely reported. In the present study, inter sequence simple repeats (ISSR) molecular markers were employed to assess genetic diversity and relationships of 83 accessions of Jute mallow from different parts of Africa and Asia conserved at the World Vegetable Center East and Southern Africa. A total of 89 bands were amplified by 8 ISSR primers. Number of polymorphic bands per primer ranged from 2 to 6 with an average of 2.75 bands per primer. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.390 to 0.760 with average of 0.53. Average Nei’s gene diversity (h) and Shannon’s information index (I) were 0.335 and 0.494 respectively. The highest pairwise genetic distance was 0.431 observed in a population from East Africa accessions. PC1 and PC2 axis explained 21.69% and 11.66% of the total variation respectively. UPGMA cluster analysis grouped the accessions into six main clusters at genetic similarity coefficient of 0.53 as standard value for classification. These results have important implications for jute mallow breeding and conservation.

Effect of nitrogen limitation on antioxidant qualities is highly associated with genotypes of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.)

Antioxidants are highly beneficial to human health, and their accumulation in lettuce, one of the most popular leafy vegetables, depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Nitrogen(N) availability plays an essential role in regulating antioxidant accumulation, but the influence of genotype × N interactions on the antioxidant qualities of lettuce is poorly understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the variation of growth and antioxidant qualities of 20 lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.) genotypes(10 green lettuce genotypes and 10 red lettuce genotypes) under limited N(low N, LN) conditions and standard N(high N, HN) conditions. For all 20 genotypes, LN conditions reduced shoot(i.e., leaf) growth, but increased plant concentrations of vitamin C,glutathione, and phenolic compounds, with the exception of carotenoids, compared with HN conditions. Because of reduced biomass under LN conditions, not all lettuce genotypes exhibited increased antioxidant yields or total antioxidant capacity yield. The variation in antioxidant quality was primarily genetically determined. Generally, the green lettuce genotypes exhibited more pronounced increases in antioxidant yields and total antioxidant capacity yield than the red lettuce genotypes under LN conditions. These results suggest that even though LN conditions generally tend to improve the antioxidant qualities of lettuce, the extent of this effect is highly dependent on genotype. Therefore, genotype should be given priority in future studies that aim to improve antioxidant qualities in lettuce through N management.

Amino acid quality indices of the leaves of Clerodendrum volubile

Objective:To evaluate the amino acid profile and quality indices of Clerodendrum volubile(C.volubile)leaves.Methods:Dried leaves of C.volubile were blended,defatted and subjected to amino acid analysis using the technicon sequential multi-sample amino acid analyzer.The amino acid quality indices which covers for chemical score,essential amino acid index,nutritional index,true digestibility,protein digestibility corrected amino acid score,and digestible indispensable amino acid score were evaluated using standard formulas.Results:Amino acid analysis revealed glutamic acid to have the highest concentration,with cysteine having the least.Aspartic acid had the highest chemical score,this was followed by glycine,histidine and arginine,respectively.The least scores were observed in serine and methionine.Glutamic acid had the highest value for true digestibility and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score,with the least observed in cysteine.Digestible indispensable amino acid score evaluation showed histidine to have the highest value for infants(birth to 6 months),threonine for children(6 months to 3 years),while isoleucine was observed to have the highest value for older children,adolescents and adults.The essential amino acid index value was less than 4,while nutritional index value was less than 0.5.Conclusions:These results indicated the leaves of C.volubile as a potential source of amino acids in the human diet as portrayed by its amino acids profile and qualities.